FAA Replaces 'UFO' with 'UAP' in Air Traffic Regulations, Marking Step Toward Transparency and Standardization

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States has taken a significant step toward unifying procedures concerning unexplained aerial phenomena. A formal update to the agency's Air Traffic Control (ATC) operational guidance replaces the long-standing term "Unidentified Flying Object" (UFO) with the broader and more neutral designation, "Unidentified Anomalous Phenomenon" (UAP).

This procedural shift, codified in FAA Notice N 7110.800, is scheduled to take effect on October 26, 2025. The mandate applies universally to all personnel within the Air Traffic Organization (ATO) across the United States. Under the revised rules, air traffic controllers are now required to document any UAP sightings—whether observed directly or reported by pilots—as incidents impacting both flight safety and national security. These reports must be channeled through the Air Traffic Safety Coordinator (ATSC) team and submitted via the Domestic Events Network (DEN) within the National Tactical Safety Operations Network (NTSO). This transformation ensures that the FAA's internal regulations align with federal legislation passed in 2022, which established the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO) and formally defined the UAP terminology.

Transparency advocates have lauded this initiative as a move toward greater clarity in the domain of unexplained aerial events. Representatives from the organization Americans for Safe Aerospace (ASA), co-founded by former Navy pilot Ryan Graves, welcomed the regulatory overhaul. Kevin Cortes of ASA characterized the development as "quiet, but important," noting that it successfully integrates UAP reports into the FAA’s core safety framework. This methodology allows observations to be documented without the risk of professional judgment or stigmatization, effectively converting anecdotal evidence into actionable data. ASA, which stands as the largest community advocating for UAP transparency, was established by pilots specifically to close critical knowledge gaps regarding airspace awareness—a factor deemed essential for overall aviation safety.

The deliberate move away from outdated terminology to UAP underscores a deeper recognition of the need to collect precise data, irrespective of the observed phenomenon’s nature. If these events represent advanced foreign assets, a robust security response is necessitated. Conversely, if they defy conventional explanations, they become a high priority for scientific inquiry. Formalizing UAP reporting is a logical step toward maintaining airspace integrity, especially within the context of the broader aviation system modernization, including the NextGen program, which aims to deliver the safest and most efficient system by 2025. Ryan Graves, notably the first active-duty pilot to openly brief Congress regarding UAP encounters, and ASA continue to press for further legislative action. Their efforts are currently focused on the "Safe Aerospace for Americans" bill, which was introduced to Congress in September 2025.